India is one of the fastest-growing economies and the second most populated country in the world. This growth warrants the use of fossil fuels like coal and crude oil to meet the demand for energy production. However, these are non-renewable sources of energy and are at the risk of extinction. Further, increased fossil fuel consumption poses a serious threat to our climate as well. To combat the need for fossil fuels and protect the environment, India has made major strides in the renewable energy sector. Numerous solar panels for homes and offices, wind parks, and hydroelectric projects have come into fruition in the last decade to reflect just that.
The Evolution of Solar Energy in India
The country’s consciousness as a developing nation focused on decreasing its carbon footprint can be understood by their Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission which was launched in 2010. The mission was aimed toward increasing the country’s efforts towards using renewable energy sources to generate clean electricity.
Of all the renewable energy sources, solar power has seen unprecedented growth in India. The Indian Government had planned a target of achieving 20 GW of energy using solar parks, rooftop solar panels for homes, and other equipment by the end of 2022. However, that target was achieved 4 years ahead of schedule and as of 30 November 2021, the total solar installed capacity of the country was 48 GW. Now the updated target set by the Government is generating 100 GW of solar capacity by 2022.
But what exactly are solar panels and why is it becoming so important across the world?
What are Solar Panels
Solar energy is the energy derived from sunlight. The amount of energy we receive from the sun every day is enough for all our power needs and there’ll still be a lot of energy left as well. Since the sun is available to everyone no matter where they live on the planet, it acts as one of the best free, sustainable, and clean resources of energy.
This solar energy is leveraged with the help of solar panels. These panels can be installed on rooftops at homes, commercial places, mounted in the ground in solar farms, and are even used on the International Space Station. Solar Panels are made up of multiple photovoltaic cells that can convert sunlight into electricity. This electricity is then fed into inverters that convert the DC current into usable AC current which is then used to power our appliances.
Why Solar Panels are so Important
Using solar panels to generate electricity is not just beneficial for individuals but is also good for the environment as a whole. Here are a few reasons why solar panels are becoming so significant.
- Good for the Environment
Solar energy is renewable and sustainable. We’ll never run out of sunlight, solar panels produce no smoke, they don’t pollute our air or water, and they don’t contribute to the rising global warming as well.
- Cost-Effective Energy Source
You need to mine coals, dig the earth for crude oil, and cut down trees for firewood. Solar energy needs nothing of such sorts. Just install a solar panel and you’ll start generating electricity on your own.
- It Saves You Money
Apart from the initial installation costs, producing solar energy is practically free. If you have a solar panel installed on your roof, you won’t have to pay anyone else for using the electricity that you generate.
- Promotes Energy Independence
Power grids are not present everywhere. Even if they are, if you are solely dependent on them for providing electricity, one mishap like damage to power lines can force you to live in a black-out situation until services are restored. Having your own solar panel relieves you of that dependency.
As you can see, the significance of using solar energy is vast. Solar panels for homes and offices provide benefits on a micro level while large-scale adoption of different types of solar panels brings benefits to the whole society and the planet as well. Shifting towards a clean energy production economy is not just important for our present but is vital for our future as well. Solar energy is one of the primary pillars of clean energy and the more it is used in our daily lives, the better it will be for us individuals and our planet.
